2 Kings 21:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 21:17 mean?

2 Kings 21:17 says that the rest of King Manasseh’s actions, including all he did and the sins he committed, are recorded in another historical source called the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah. This verse points readers elsewhere for more details about Manasseh’s reign and wrongdoing.

The verse is part of a summary at the end of Manasseh’s story, written by the author of 2 Kings for the people of Judah. It signals that the account here is not exhaustive and that more information can be found in another official record. This was a common way ancient writers let readers know where to look for further details about a king’s life and reign.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 21:17

• "rest" (יֶתֶר, yether): This word means "what remains" or "the remainder." It highlights that the story told here is only a part of Manasseh’s full history.
• "acts" (דָּבָר, davar): Often translated as "acts" or "deeds," this word can also mean "matters" or "things." It refers to everything significant Manasseh did, not just his sins.
• "sin" (חַטָּאָה, chatta'ah) and "sinned" (חָטָא, chata): The first is the noun for "sin," while the second is the verb "to sin." The verse singles out Manasseh’s wrongdoing as especially noteworthy among his actions.
• "written" (כָּתַב, kathav): This verb means "to write." It stresses that these records were officially documented, not just passed down by word of mouth.
• "book" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This means a written scroll or book, pointing to a physical record.
• "chronicles" (דָּבָר, davar; יָמִים, yamim): Here, "chronicles" is a phrase meaning "the matters of the days," which is a way of saying "the official records" or "annals" of the kings.

Why 2 Kings 21:17 matters

• This verse clarifies that the biblical account is selective and that more information about Manasseh’s reign exists outside the Bible, in historical records of the time.
• The emphasis on both Manasseh’s actions and his sins shows that his wrongdoing was a defining part of his legacy, not just a side note.
• By mentioning an external source, the verse connects the biblical narrative to other historical traditions and shows that the kings’ deeds were carefully recorded and remembered.